Flint district seeks sinking fund millage to upgrade schools

FLINT — Flint schools are asking residents to pay more in taxes to fund renovations and upgrades to the district's aging buildings, including new parking lots, drop-off areas for buses and technology.

The 4-mill, 10-year sinking fund would cost the owner of an average Flint home with a $21,000 taxable value about $84 a year. It would generate $4.7 million for the school district in the first year.

It’s the first time the district has asked for a sinking fund. It would help pay for improvement and maintenance on the district’s buildings, which were built an average of 52 years ago, school officials said.

Voters will decide the issue in the primary election Aug. 3. It so far has been a low-key election, without any major marketing push from school officials and no known organized opposition to the proposal.

Superintendent Linda Thompson said sprucing up the buildings would enhance the learning environment for students and improve overall images and perceptions of the district.

“When you walk into some of the buildings, they look drab, dark. Our kids deserve better than that,” said Thompson.

Still, some residents expect it could be tough to pass a tax increase, given the struggling economy.

“It’s pretty tough times right now, but I would probably vote for it,” said Maurice Hester, 59. “But I know a lot of people in my position who probably wouldn’t.”

Sinking funds by state law can be used only for facilities improvement and maintenance, not salaries or other operating expenses.

The district has completed a facilities study and parent surveys to determine what repairs would be made. More specifics on which schools would receive what upgrades weren't yet available.

Some possibilities include replacing windows, roofs, boilers and classroom cabinetry, as well as upgrading lighting, swimming pools, science labs, bathrooms and security systems, according to Andrea Derricks, district business manager.

District officials also are talking about constructing new parking lots and bus loops to enhance traffic safety at schools that need them.

Some technology improvements also fall under what the law allows for sinking funds.“One of the things that we want to make sure of with these dollars is that every youngster in Flint gets something that happens in their building,” Thompson said.

Flint voters rejected a $175 million bond issue in August 2000 that would have cost the average homeowner $156 a year.

This sinking fund would raise a total of $47 million if property values stayed at current levels. This proposal is also for 10 years instead of the 25-year loan school officials requested in 2000.

“When we reduce this down to a daily rate, it’s 23 cents a day,” Thompson said. “I’m asking people to make a 23-cent discretionary decision for the kids in our city.”

This version clarifies that the facilities study conducted to plan potential upgrades has already been completed.